A native of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Robert Bedard was Canada's top ranked tennis player for an amazing eleven consecutive years. In 1952, Bedard was awarded a grant from the Quebec government to study at UCLA for six months; it was here that he was able to develop his skills and sharpen his game. Upon returning to Canada in 1953, Bedard made the Davis Cup team and placed seventh in men's singles at the Canadian Open. The following year, he ranked second, and in 1955 he claimed first place. Bedard remained Canada's top-ranked tennis player from 1955 to 1965. In that time he claimed two Canadian Open singles titles, in 1957 and 1958, three doubles titles in 1955, 1957, and 1959, and one mixed doubles title in 1959. He also won a gold medal at the 1969 Canada Games. Bedard was one of the few Canadians of his time to shine on the international tennis stage. During a three-month tour of Europe in 1957, he was a quarter-finalist in the Italian Open and reached the third round in both Wimbledon and the French Open. He claimed a silver medal at the 1959 Pan-American Games. Upon retiring from the courts, Bedard entered into the field of education. He taught at Bishop's College School in Lennoxville, Quebec, as well as St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario, serving as headmaster at St. Andrew's from 1981-1997. Upon his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Bedard stated: "There is no doubt in my mind that the upward trajectory of my career as an educator has been the result of qualities of an abstract nature which sports inspired in me - discipline, concentration, will, and consistency." As an educator, Bedard recognized the power of sport as an educational tool as well as the importance of athletics in the development of many life-skills. What he gave to his sport, his sport gave back to him tenfold.